I love this song so much. I'm not religious myself, but religious art still resonates with me when it evokes something of the deep mysteries of faith and divinity. I can feel it even if I'm not an adherent of the particular doctrine or dogma.
The song was written by Jimmy MacCarthy in 1989. I gather it's quite well known in Ireland, maybe most from Mary Black and Christy Moore's versions, but there are lots of different renditions by Irish artists. I don't know much about MacCarthy, but he also wrote the great "Ride On," which Moore also made famous.
I think I first it heard via a version Christy Moore did with his son during a home pandemic session that they had posted online. I can't find that video at the moment, but I'm going to post some of my other favorite versions. This is a song I can listen to over and over, and it stands up to even the most treacly arrangements because there's something deep and wondrous about it.
The lyrics are rich and allusive, almost like an Irish Catholic Townes Van Zandt. It's not at all clear that it's even a religious song until about halfway through, when you reach "to ponder his death and his life eternally."
The first lines are I think my favorite description of insomnia ever (at least I think that's what it's describing):
I skimmed across black water, without once submerging
Onto the banks of an urban morning
That hungers the first light, much much more
Than mountains ever do.
Then there's the line, "And I am the geek with the alchemists' stone," which was the one that really caught me on first listen, like ... what? What's going on here.
Also just utterly lovely melody throughout. There aren't many songs I'd dedicate a thread to, but I think this one deserves it. I'm just going to post some versions I like, if you know others feel free to add them. And if anyone know other MacCarthy songs worth seeking, post those too.
I like this live duet with Moore and MacCarthy, to start.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glGdAwGBt8s
― paper plans (tipsy mothra), Friday, 3 April 2026 14:37 (one week ago)